Pay funeral costs of organ donors
Canberra nephrologist, Dr Gavin Carney, has suggested paying the funeral costs of people who donate their organs, with the aim of dramatically boosting Australia’s organ donation rate, which is one of the lowest in the world.
The payment, which would be similar to the baby bonus or the first home owners’ grant, was essential to prevent the Federal government’s $151 million organ donation reform package becomeing a ‘one -year wonder’, The Age newspaper reports.
Canberra based Dr Carney also called for urgent research to determine why families often ignore a patient’s wishes to donate organs.
“Many people register and 80% of Australians have declared their willingness, yet in spite of long-established and well-supported hospital programs, the donation rate is steady,” Dr Carney said.
About 1,650 people were on the waiting list in January. More than 1,300 were waiting for kidneys.
Funeral reimbursement programs already exist in more than 20 countries, Dr Carney said.
